LONDON, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- British Labour politician Bev Craig was elected mayor of Greater Manchester on Friday, succeeding Andy Burnham, now Britain's prime minister.

Bev Craig, the Labour Party candidate, departs Broad Oak Primary in Didsbury after voting in the Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, in Manchester, England, Thursday July 30, 2026. (Photo: AP)

Craig secured 66.3 percent of the final vote after second-preference ballots were counted, defeating Reform UK candidate Sian Astley.

Craig previously served as leader of Manchester City Council.

The by-election was triggered after Burnham won the Makerfield parliamentary seat on June 19.

According to the British government, the mayor of Greater Manchester also serves as the region's police and crime commissioner, meaning a sitting member of parliament cannot hold the post simultaneously. Burnham therefore stepped down as mayor upon entering parliament. He became British prime minister on July 20.